The Exploration Company (TEC), a UK‑based aerospace startup, announced a major progress point for its reusable Nyx spacecraft. A full‑scale prototype was released from a test rig equipped with a newly designed parachute system intended to recover the vehicle after re‑entry.
Test setup and objectives
The experiment took place at a secured test range where a 1.5‑tonne Nyx mock‑up was dropped from a high‑altitude platform. The primary aim was to evaluate the parachute’s stability under realistic load conditions and to fine‑tune the procedures for vehicle retrieval.
Results and technical findings
The parachute maintained a steady deployment throughout descent, achieving the target sink rate of 5 m/s. Upon ground impact, automated mechanisms engaged to stabilize the craft and prepare it for recovery. Recorded data confirm that the system meets the predefined reusability criteria.
Future plans
Building on this success, TEC intends to conduct additional flight tests in the coming months, exposing the parachute to varied atmospheric scenarios. The ultimate goal is to field Nyx as an affordable, reusable platform for delivering payloads to low‑Earth orbit and beyond.